PRESS RELEASE ON THE TECHNICAL DETAILS
OF THE 2025 ST. STEPHEN’S DAY BUDAPEST FIREWORKS
Artistic Concept and Visual Elements
Regarding this year’s St. Stephen’s Day fireworks in Budapest, I can share the following information:
The artistic concept for the fireworks and festive illumination, starting at 9:00 p.m., was created by Árpád Iványi and Barnabás Réti.
The artistic concept for the fireworks and festive illumination, starting at 9:00 p.m., was created by Árpád Iványi and Barnabás Réti.
In addition to the fireworks display, it includes:
- The illumination of the more than 5 km long spectacle area using intelligent lighting and lasers,
- Festive video-graphic projections on the surfaces of the Parliament and the Chain Bridge, and
- A drone show appearing at the end of the fireworks.
Musical and Historical Background
The historical tale featured in the program, along with the musical composition accompanying the fireworks, will serve as a continuation of the historical chronology presented last year.
The visual design of the fireworks was created by Anikó Seres.
As musical accompaniment, compositions by Norbert Elek—specifically composed for this event—will be performed.
The visual design of the fireworks was created by Anikó Seres.
As musical accompaniment, compositions by Norbert Elek—specifically composed for this event—will be performed.
Sound System and Broadcast
At the Danube riverside venue, live sound reinforcement will cover the entire spectacle area to support the performance.
The festive program will, of course, be broadcast on television again this year to reach those who are unable to attend in person.
The festive program will, of course, be broadcast on television again this year to reach those who are unable to attend in person.
Technical Preparations
In terms of technical preparations, we have reached the following milestones:
- Preparation of the detailed visual design
- Procurement of pyrotechnic products
- Technological preparation of equipment
- Numerous logistical, navigation, and organizational tasks
- On-site installation, which will take place at the relevant locations from tomorrow until August 19th.
Program Structure
The performance consists of six acts. Each act will be connected by a fairy-tale-like historical radio drama, similar to previous years.
Details of the Spectacle Area
The entire spectacle area stretches from the Petőfi Bridge to the lower third of Margaret Island, covering a river section of the Danube more than 5 km long with the visual display.
The Parliament’s light projection can be viewed from the Buda riverside between Margaret Bridge and Chain Bridge.
The Parliament’s light projection can be viewed from the Buda riverside between Margaret Bridge and Chain Bridge.
Technical Data and Interesting Facts
In the fireworks display:
- A total of 45,530 distinct, choreographed pyrotechnic effects will create the complex spectacle: (fireworks shells, fire mortars, star shells, Roman candles, comets, Greek fire, bombettes, spark fountains, flame effects, flashes, bangs).
- Nine main launch points will be anchored on the Danube, consisting of barges, from which mainly large-caliber pyrotechnic blooms will appear at heights between 80 and 300 meters.
- From 65 smaller pontoons—arranged in a line between the barges—smaller-caliber attractive effects will be launched, providing the lower visual layer up to 100 meters high.
- Three bridges (Liberty Bridge, Elisabeth Bridge, and Margaret Bridge) will also be included in the spectacle, with nearly every type of pyrotechnic product and effect installed on them.
- A total of 500 launch points will be placed at the above locations.
- Twenty experienced pyrotechnicians will be involved in technical planning, and an additional seventy in physical installation and firing.
- Around 100 more people will work on assembling, crane operations, launching, and maneuvering the floating platforms on the water.
- Several hundred more specialists will participate in creating the festive lighting, laser show, light projection, drone show, and musical recordings.
- The preparations require six months of work, and the on-site setup will take 21 days.
Safety Measures
- The pyrotechnic products hold European quality compliance certificates, verifying that they meet the strict EU regulatory standards.
- The launch is controlled by a specialized target computer, using digitally coded firing signals that are sabotage-proof and can be stopped at any moment.
- By law, the fireworks must not be started if wind speeds exceed 45 km/h, and must be halted even if the wind does not pose a direct danger.
- Regardless of wind, the show can also be interrupted if any other threat to the live or built environment arises, or if any external factor endangers the event or its audience.
- The activity is covered by liability insurance.
- A detailed safety study has been prepared for the fireworks execution, the contents of which are known to all involved specialists from the respective fields.
Final Remarks
We wish you an enjoyable experience with the program and a pleasant time throughout the entire celebration. We also hope that the weather will be on our side during our national holiday.
Get in Touch with Us
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us.
Email address: sajto@nuvu.hu